Local footy legend reaches 400-game milestone

VideoNortham Federals’ Wade ‘Freddy’ Hunter says his 400 games is an outstanding achievement.

The West Australian sports reporter Jordan McArdle takes a look at what’s happening in the country and amateur leagues around WA in his weekly column.

From premiership Eagles to Cobras

A pair of West Coast premiership teammates have joined Perth Football League club Cockburn Cobras this season.

Daniel Chick made a low-key return to football in the Cobras’ thirds side, which plays in the E3 competition, last month.

He played in a 37-point win over Swan Valley.

Chick was convinced to play for the club by a work colleague, and is expected to play several more games this year around work commitments.

Former Eagles and Sydney big man Mark Seaby has also joined the Cobras this year, thanks to a former workmate.

Seaby has played two games in the C4 Grade so far including a five-goal debut against Piara Waters last month.

He also feature in the ‘Cockburn Derby’ against Cockburn Lakes last weekend, helping his team to a 72-point win and bragging rights over their arch-rivals with a strong performance in the ruck and up forward.

Troy Evans, Cameron van Oss (four goals apiece), Steven Rasmussen (three) and Tony Milevski (two) were also among the goal-kickers for the Cobras.

City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett was on hand to toss the coin at Davilak Reserve.

Camera IconDaniel Chick.

400 up for Federals legend

Wade ‘Freddy’ Hunter will become the first Northam Federals player to reach 400 games when he steps out onto Henry Street Oval to face Quairading on Sunday.

The 42-year-old has done it all in his 27 seasons at Federals including winning the fairest and best and leading goal-kicker awards, captaining a premiership-winning side four times and being named a country week All Star.

Hunter became the club’s record holder when he passed 319 games, and has played in every position on the ground.

And his secret to getting out on the park every week?

“I've never stretched in me life so I don't know if that's the secret, don't stretch you don't get injured,” Hunter told Today Tonight. “I'm not sure.”

Four generations of Hunter men have pulled on the boots for the Federals in their proud 119-year history.

Freddy's dad Rossco has been coaching for almost 50 years - including his grandson, eight-year-old Jake.

The club’s oldest life member, 90-year-old Ron Pitts, will toss the coin alongside Hunter on Sunday.

Federals and ladder leaders Beverley (4-1) are the form teams of the Avon Football Association this season.

Northam Federals’ Wade ‘Freddy’ Hunter says his 400 games is an outstanding achievement.

The West Australian

VideoNortham Federals’ Wade ‘Freddy’ Hunter says his 400 games is an outstanding achievement.

Beverley did however give a depleted Federals a touch-up last weekend, winning by 91 points.

Ashley Boyes (five goals) and Harry Sinclair (two) did the damage up forward for the Redbacks, with Scott Minchin and Dale Wansbrough also among the best.

Former WAFL players Rob Forrest and Nathan Phillips kicked two goals each for Federals.

Jason Bristow, a three-time Subiaco best and fairest, Simpson medallist and premiership teammate of Forrest, has also featured for Federals this season, but is only available every few weeks due to work commitments.

In other round six results, Kellerberrin-Tammin edged out Quairading by 29 points with Luke Button, Frazer Perry (three apiece), Jake Dowding and Bush and ‘Burbs regular James Venturini (two apiece) among the goal-kickers.

Former East Perth midfielder Dean Cadwallader was one of the Bulls’ best.

Northam Railways easily accounted for York by 58 points with Jordon Kickett (five goals) and Deekan Garlett (four) dominating up forward and Jarvis Kjellgren, Trent Bradshaw, Steven Caccetta and James Morris also having a big say in the match.

Former West Perth player Tim Guatta continued his strong season for York, kicking three majors to take his season tally to 12.

Milne to feature in Avon league

Former St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne will make a one-off appearance in the Avon Football Association next week.

Milne, who kicked 574 goals during his 275-game AFL career, has been cleared to play for Federals in the Northam Derby against Railways at Henry Street Oval on June 2.

The 39-year-old will be the special guest for a sportsman’s night after the game and also host a Northam Junior Football Club clinic with superstar West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui the day before.

SWFL coach resigns after record low

South Bunbury coach David Obal resigned earlier this week after the Tigers’ recorded the lowest score in the club’s history.

The Tigers scored just five behinds in their 72-point loss to Donnybrook, the fifth lowest score in SWFL history and they now join Collie Eagles (8 behinds), Carey Park (4 behinds) and Eaton Boomers/Boyanup Caper Dardanup (1 behind on three occasions), as the only clubs not to register a league goal in a match.

After scoring just one point in the first half, the Tigers doubled their score in the third quarter and managed a further three in the final, while Donnybrook booted 11 goals, with Sean Lynch and Sam Lowrie kicking four each.

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault remain undefeated after beating the Eaton Boomers by 10 points on Saturday.

Stalwart David Newman was named man-of-the-match after kicking three goals in the win, while former Sydney Swan Kristin Thornton also kicked three.

A great game from Sandover medallist Rory O’Brien was not enough for Carey Park to get the win over Augusta-Margaret River, with the Hawks claiming victory by 34 points.

Bunbury belted Busselton by 73 points thanks to five goals from Cameron Hay and three to two-time Hayward medallist Jesse Gribble, while the Collie Eagles claimed a tight 11-point win over the Harvey Bulls.

- Mitch Woodcock

Sharks trio join UGSFL leaders

Wickepin’s Upper Great Southern premiership hopes have received a massive boost in the form of a trio of East Fremantle players.

Lynn medallist and former Western Bulldog Jayden Schofield headlines the inclusions, with his brother Kim and Dion Anthony also cleared after quitting the Sharks this week.

In more UGSFL signing news, Wagin coach and former Paul Duffield has convinced his cousins, Ryan and Liam, to pull on the boots this season.

Duffield said he expected the pair, who come from cricketing backgrounds, to debut in about a month.

Ryan Duffield played 19 first-class matches for WA, as well as seven with Big Bash League franchise Brisbane Heat, as a left-arm paceman.

The 30-year-old is a left-footer with a decent kick who his cousin is likely to thrown in the forward-line.

Boddington has halted Wickepin's undefeated run, handing them a convincing 51-point defeat off the back of a five goal to one third term.

Harrison Ellis underlined himself as the competition’s best forward, kicking eight goals to take his season tally to 25 from just four matches.

Matthew White, James Hay and Benjamin Sherry were also among Boddington’s best, while Lewis Gillespie (three goals) and Chad Wrigley (two) contributed on the scoreboard.

For Wickepin, Jaxon Ramsay added four goals and Luke Couch kicked two after last week’s seven-goal-haul.

Kukerin-Dumbleyung recorded their first win of the year, defeating Narrogin by 29 points.

Kim Gooding took plenty of strong marks to finish with six goals, complemented by Kent Patterson's three and Peter Joyce’s two.

Cougar Jake Angwin kept dangerman Mason Hill to a relatively modest three goals for the day.

Angwin was named among Kukerin-Dumbleyung's best with Rueben Smith, Patterson, Ryan and Joyce.

Nathan Ugle and Ryan Fleay were admirable in defence for the Hawks, doing their best to cover the loss of Blair Forrest who went down injured in the second term, with Jack Walsh, Perrin Quartermaine and Ryan Gray also contributing.

Brookton-Pingelly continued their resurgence with a 39-point win over Wagin, with Leroy Jetta (three goals) impressing yet again.

Dylan Kirk and James Spark kicked two each for the Panthers, with Brayden Fairhead and Callan Eddy also standing out.

Jai Jeffery and Michael Zoiti put on strong displays in the losing cause for the Bulldogs.

In the final game of the round, Williams beat last season’s grand finalists Katanning by 35 points.

- with Michael Traill

Bootsma joins dad at Corrigin

There’s a father-son duo at Eastern District Football League side Corrigin with Jayden Bootsma teaming up with his dad Brad.

Brad Bootsma, a former South Fremantle champion and Fremantle player, has coached the Tigers for several years and still plays in the reserves.

Jayden impressed in his Corrigin debut earlier this month, booting four goals against reigning premiers Kulin-Kondinin.

The former Peel Thunder colt most recently played in the Goldfields Football League for Kambalda and Boulder City.

He is only available every second week due to work commitments.

Corrigin have started the season well, winning three of their first four matches.

Hyden-Karlgarin sit atop the EDFL ladder after continuing their unbeaten run with a 70-point thrashing of Burracoppin.

Krakouer’s back

Former Port Adelaide and Gold Coast defender Nathan Krakouer returned to where his football career began in the Great Southern league.

The Mt Barker product lined up for the Bulls in their 16-point loss to GSFL powerhouse North Albany on Sunday after getting cleared from Goldfields outfit Boulder at the last minute.

He was relatively quiet up forward, finishing with eight possessions and a goal.

Midfielder Nathan Crudeli continuing his purple patch of form for the Kangas, receiving the match day ball in the Belt Up Round for best afield, with forward Jyrin Woods (four goals) and the hard-running Alex Pearce also important.

Kerr set for EDFL cameo

Daniel Kerr will line up in the Essendon District Football League this weekend.

The West Coast premiership midfielder, who has a clearance pending from Perth Football League side Thornlie, will pull on the boots in a one-off appearance for Taylors Lakes against West Coburg on Saturday.

He will also host a sportsman’s night after the game.

The 36-year-old coached Thornlie in the B Grade last season before parting ways with the club, which was relegated to the C1 Grade.

If your club or league has a local footy story worth telling, get in touch at jordan.mcardle@wanews.com.au.